Hmm, seems like my #254 post is in this thread after all.
I have waited patiently since February for some confirmation on Shirahoshi joining, ever since I got banned for suggesting, that Shirahoshi doesn't have to be weak, that cowardice is not the same as weakness, and that she might have inherited or been taught some awesome fighting powers. (I even suggested Shirahoshi summoining Sea Kings over here, though that was still a very unrefined argument, and I think she could fight Wadatsumi)

But the latest chapter has me pretty worried.
I mean we have Otohime dying, without some personal last words to Shira, in order to motivate her, to follow her dreams, and without Shira making any emotional vows to do so. That just doesn't work for a future nakama.
So unless Oda can fix this in the next chapter, I would say her chances of joining have dropped below 50% for the first time.

Everything else went pretty much as expected. I mean Otohime teaching Shira about the islands above ground, and her speeches about them getting to know all humans, not just a small fraction of them. And of course Otohime's crying about the children getting to go anywhere they want, not just Sabaody Park. And her bravery to leave FI on her own, to visit Mariejois. And of course the legend of Shira following a man to change the whole world, not just FI.
All of this could indicate Shirahoshi leaving FI and travelling around the world with the SH's, to follow Otohime's ideals and become a symbol of hope for her people, just like her mother. (not necessarily of course)

On the whole size issue I think most people still underestimate the true dimensions of the Sunny. Here and here and here you can see, that Shira is about the size of the Sunny's Lawn Deck. (even with Oda messing up perspectives) I think Franky would be able to modify the Sunny a little, to provide a comfortable living space for Shira, something that can be changed back in the morning. Perhaps the Lawn Deck could be turned upside down to provide a bed for Shira, or the mast could open up into a large tent. (I'm not that creative)
I think it's wierd that people still underestimate Oda's ingenuity after all this time.

And of course she would attract a lot of attention. I mean she is the friggn legendary mermaid princess. But it's not so much, that it would make the other SH's look insignificant. She would rather make the whole crew look more awesome. And Robin and Sanji would still be able to sneak around undetected, while Luffy &co would march in like always, smashing through any walls, that are in the way. (I see no big problem with Shira moving around on Thriller Bark, Water 7, Skypiea, Alabasta, Little Garden or any other island we have seen just like with FI)
I think it is stupid, that people still believe mermaids to be disabled on land, even after seeing the King, Princes and Aladdin moving around just fine, and Otohime shooting around like a bullet.

Shirahoshi is not a leader of her people, after being locked up for 10 years. And now we know, that she has a much bigger destiny. She is now free to follow her heart, and Luffy became the symbol of that freedom by helping her get out. FI has other protectors like the King, Princes, Jinbe and the NFP, who all feel very responsible for protecting and leading the people, and who wouldn't just leave on a merry journey around the world. But this doesn't apply to Shirahoshi.

Of course her joining the SH's could strain relationships between FI and WG, but not more than Fisher Tiger attacking Mariejois, Whitebeard's death or Jinbe quitting the Shichibukai. At least not at first.

On the other hand Shirahoshi staying at FI would be much more problematic. I mean she is like the most valuable slave and hostage, to take control of FI. And the WG wouldn't ignore such a major threat to them, like Shira's power. She might be able to defeat an attacking Buster Call with her Sea Kings, but not without destroying their new home as well. This will be very obvious at the end of this arc, after she destroyed FI, and she wouldn't want to keep putting her people in danger like that.

She will become the most hunted person in the world, much more than Robin, and her joining the SH's may be the only way to be safe and gain enough confidence, experience and strength to defend herself against anyone.

Perhaps the WG thought Otohime had summoned the Sea Kings, and that is why she was killed. Shirahoshi being responsible for her mother's death would certainly add to her determination in the future.

But for now we need her making a declaration of her own dream, and the determination to keep fighting a strong opponent, even after she is injured. Before that all bets are off.

JERK DISEASE are you serious? Or are you just trolling me?
Oda could have created her to make her part of the crew, to give their mission more meaning, to balance and expand the story, and for many other reasons. Her cowardice and innocence could be part of her "charm", when she overcomes it, just like with Chopper and the others. Sanji, Chopper, Usopp and Nami can be pretty annoying too and nobody cares. The story about her mother would deepen her character and make her look more sympathetic to some. Those are not assumptions, but reasonable possibilities. Just like her brothers wanting her to learn self-defense. What's stupid about that?

I don't see that massive evidence against her joining. Just minor details, just like with Franky.

There was more friction with Franky joining and people fighting it till the end.
@JERK:

Luffy: Yo, you're a wierdo, what the fucks the deal with you. whatever, wanna come outside and stop being annoying? Cool.

There is an awesome picture. Just brilliant. That could actually work.

@Just Gabe
I'm against the strong assumption, that she is weak, without compelling evidence to support that.
But if you want evidence to support that she might be strong?
What about her size and powerful fin, making her the fastest creature in the ocean?
What about beeing blood related to 4 very powerful fighters?
What about beeing in constant danger and taught by some very powerful people indebted to her?

That's not enough for NN, but much better than Vivi,Conis,…

@Strawhat:

We've yet to see any Mermaids capable of fighting.

That's my point. Why shouldn't there be a powerful mermaid? And who could be a better representative than the princess?

@Strawhat:

Or is she just going to slap her opponents with her fin?

Why not? That's one way to go. Like Sanji only using his legs. She could jump higher than Brook and use her fin like Jinbe uses his fists.
There are so many other possibilities I can't even imagine. Like a trident with mythical Dragon Zoan, or using "Water Magic" and calling for fish like Jinbe.

In the end it's up to Oda.
It's just a possibility.

@Strawhat:

I think it's pretty obvious that she's weak considering Jinbei separated her from her brothers when he talked about their progress

Yes, he didn't name her as a formidable warrior, she didn't avoid the flying axe, and she didn't leave the island with Jinbe. But none of that is really conclusive.

I honestly don't get why everyone is so disgusted and riled up against Shirahoshi.:wassat:
I'm not a fan of crying women with huge breasts either, but that doesn't have to be all there is to her.

And why is everyone so convinced of her being weak? There is really nothing to prove that yet. Cowardice is not the same as weakness, as we all should know. It's impossible to avoid Decken's surprise attacks indefinitely. Even Whitebeard got stabbed by surprise.

I mean, if she proves to be as useless as Vivi, Conis, Caimie,… , then of course there is no way for her to join. Usopp and Nami started from scratch too, but times are much tougher now.

But I think it could go either way at this point.
Whether she is just a stupid damsel in distress or will fight to the death herself all torn-up, using some awesome unseen skills, we'll just have to wait and see.

Anyway I think it would be good to have a powerful mermaid in the story to represent her kind and crush that pathetic racist image of weak prey and slaves. Preferably someone involved in the final destruction of Mariejois.

I'm sure Oda would have no problem deepening her character and fitting her into the crew, if he wanted to.
For example the Sunny is much much bigger than everyone thinks. And mermaids don't have to be disabled on land. Caimie just had to hide her fin on Sabaody. Shira could move like the Gorgon Sisters or use any kind of device/pet to carry her, like a weapon with Zoan DF. The possibilities are endless.
Oda can easily make it work.

Again we'll just have to be patient and see.

I go along with Shirahoshi for NN.
It's not what I expected, not by a long shot, but it's pretty well hinted at by now.

1. She got the important "inherited will" from her mother. (though I was hoping for Fisher Tiger)

2. Unlike Vivi she is not suitable or willing to lead her country. (so there's no split loyalty there)

3. She has been miserable and lonely for 10 years, so becoming a pirate would be a step-up, despite the adamant dangers. (just like with all the other SH's)

4. Luffy personally relieved her of her misery and showed her how to follow her dreams, forming an unbreakable bond of trust and loyalty. (just like with all the other SH's) Especially after he saves her country and revenges her mother.

5. She would fit in well with the SH's, balancing the crew as the 3rd female member and 5th cowardly member. (next to Usopp, Nami, Chopper and Brook)
He innocence would also stand in perfect contrast to Nami's selfishness and Robin's cruel confidence. And her interactions with Sanji, Brook and Chopper would be awesome.

6. Like the rest of her family she might be a talented fighter (only lacking confidence) and Jinbe could have secretly taught her Fishman Karate, to help defend herself. With her size and powerful fin she could be a formidable member of the SH's. Also most fish and even Sea Kings would probably want to protect and please her. That would be quite the help for the SH's. And maybe she could get her fathers trident or some other weapon, to help her fight on land. (not sure about transportation)

7. Luffy on a whim asked her to go on an adventure with him, which is almost as good as asking to join his crew?!

It would certainly be awesome to have the legendary mermaid princess as part of the SH's.
But she still needs an important dream, requiring her to travel to the end of the Grand Line or defeating one of the strongest legends in the world, something she can only achieve by following the future Pirate King. (maybe to end discrimination between all races?)

@cooldud
I know the idea frightens you, scares me too.
I also couldn't imagine Luffy rampaging at Marine HQ, I just knew it had to happen on the way somehow, even long before we reached Enies Lobby.

Defeat and utter destruction are very different things. The SHs already defeated the WG at Enies Lobby, and rampaging at Mariejois is just the natural next bigger step. They don't have to beat the admirals, just to escape them after the ruckus is enough. This defeat is still nowhere near the level of the Whitebeard War, and we are headed for something much much bigger in the end, with only 400 chapters or so left, to visit 10 more locations or so and rap everything up. (I don't want anything rushed at all, but that's Oda's plan)

Also they don't have to fight alone, just like with Marine HQ. This is the perfect time for Dragon to start making his move. I mean Dragon and the Gorousei need some character and story development just like everyone else, and can't just show up out of nowhere at the very end.

IMO reaching Raftel is not gonna be the beginning of the downfall of the WG, but the miraculous end, with the destruction of the ancient weapons and everyone fulfilling their dreams, and for example Chopper becoming the miracle cure, that symbolically heals the entire world, just like Hiluluk did with Drum.

@Noqanky:

especially now that they've had two years of separate training they all deserve breathing space so we can get back to knowing them again.
Given that, I think delaying the new member much more is not a bad thing.

I think it's quite the opposite.
IMO Enies Lobby gave us much more interaction, insight and development of the SHs, than Skypiea and Davy Back Fight combined.
(as well as 3 members joining/rejoining the SHs)
So what we need is another hectic, complex, chasing arc like Water7+Enies Lobby, and the next 15 chapters or so should be enough for us to relax and enjoy the simple pirate life, before things get serious again, just like with Skypiea and Water7.

Also imo there is no way, that the future Pirate King can cross the Red Line and continue through the New World, without first paying a visit to Mariejois and being part of a major ruckus there. (just like with Enies Lobby, Impel Down and Marineford)
And it seems obvious to me, that we will get a repeat of the Fisher Tiger incident, only on a much bigger scale.
That could set things up very nicely for the chase through the New World, introduce Luffy to his farther finally, give plenty of room for insight and development of the new SHs, and find us a few new awesome Nakama. (maybe Bonney and the son of Fisher Tiger)

@Kuzan:

No, he's actually right, your map is wrong. South Blue is were West Blue should be.

This pic is better:

It shows, that East Blue and the New World are on different sides of the Red Line.

@HikaruYami:

Sure, it's physically impossible to cause a ship to shatter with one slash unless you actually move around the entire ship in the blink of an eye with pure physical speed, but Mihawk probably did just that!

Objection! There is something called a Flying Blade Attack. And it's an essential part of the One Piece science. Mr.1 was cutting a building in small pieces with his fingers. T-Bone splitted a Sea King in half and is known to cut up ships all the time. And of course CP9 were all using Rankyaku and with it Kaku and Lucci were splitting the Galley-La HQ, the Tower of Justice, a steel strengthen warship and all kinds of other things. And of course don't forget Zoro cutting Giant Jack, the iron cannons of the Franky House, Aqua Laguna, Puffing Tom and the Enies Lobby Courthouse.
Why do you think Mihawk would have difficulty splitting Krieg's ship without moving around it or having a DF sword? That doesn't sound reasonable. The key term here is Flying Blade Attack and Mihawk is the best after all.

@Private:

In that Audity post (^), what number is the song that plays when Usopp fights Chuu…? It's also a numerous track throughout the anime, kind of a mix between quirky and serious.

It's also played in Episode 273, about 2 minutes and 48 seconds into (When Luffy goes into Gear Second).

I've been meaning to get it for a while, but it keeps slipping my mind... and because I have no idea where to get it.

Just check Audity's What plays When list (which you would have found in his sig ^) for Episode 40 starting 13:14. There are 3 tracks that play during Usopp vs Chuu. You'll find them quite easily by name and number in Audity's post ^.